The UNT Office for Nationally Competitive Scholarship
(formerly the Office of Postgraduate Fellowships) assists undergraduate and graduate students in identifying and pursuing
externally funded research and study opportunities. Dr.
James Duban, director of the office,
invites students to inquire about the preparation and credentials necessary
to compete successfully for such postgraduate awards as Rhodes,
Marshall, Fulbright,
James Madison, Harry S. Truman,
Andrew W. Mellon, and National Science
Foundation scholarships and fellowships.
This site describes the scholarships that are generally considered the
most prestigious. Many other scholarships are available, and information
about those will be provided upon request from this office.
Even freshmen and sophomores should begin thinking about postgraduate
prospects. This site describes four undergraduate scholarships: the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, the
Morris
K. Udall Scholarship, the Rotary
Ambassadorial Scholarships, and the Ronald E. McNair
Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Scholarship. The awards are intrinsically
worth pursuing and have the added benefit of enhancing a student's prospects
for receiving a postgraduate fellowship. Note, as well, that the Harry S. Truman Scholarship, awarded to college
juniors, funds a senior year of study and two-to-three years of graduate
study.
Applying for a national scholarship is a "no lose" situation,
since undergraduates are able to channel their essays into conventional
graduate school applications. They thereby enhance their prospects for being
accepted into a graduate program and for receiving internal fellowship support.
Graduate students, in turn, often end up formulating a dissertation proposal
from the writing which they undertake as part of the process of applying
for a national scholarship.
Most postgraduate fellowship deadlines occur
from September through November. Serious
contenders should begin researching, writing, and organizing their applications
in the spring and summer preceding fall deadlines. In some cases,
such as with Marshall, Rhodes,
and Truman scholarships, UNT
faculty screening committees read applications and invite the most promising
candidates to on-campus interviews. The screening committees then decide
whom to nominate to represent UNT at state
and regional levels of competition.
Finalists interact intensively and regularly with these committees to
prepare for off-campus interviews.
How to Proceed on This Website
(PDF Version)
Dr. Duban confers with students applying
for externally funded scholarships and fellowships, including those opportunities
described on this site. He also works with students wishing to apply for
other postgraduate scholarships. The Office of
Nationally Competitive Scholarship is in The Loft, Room 140. For information, call Dr.
Duban at (940) 565-2820 or send an email
to jduban@unt.edu. |
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